09 September,2016 08:45 AM IST | | Joanna Lobo
A new play from the Jeff Goldberg Studio, CookieMachine, explores the relationship between a father and son
Jeff Goldberg and Karan Pandit in a scene from the play
Jeff Goldberg and Karan Pandit in a scene from the play
Imagine you are stuck in traffic at a signal in Juhu. There's nothing you can do - you can complain but it won't help. The best thing would be to accept your situation and wait it out.
"It's the same with families. We all have a love-hate relationship with them. You are bound to get angry at times but they're family and you need them. So, you get over the anger and accept the persons for who they are if you want to grow and love them," says actor, producer, director Jeff Goldberg.
It isn't the best metaphor but this weekend Jeff Goldberg Studio's newest play, CookieMachine will explore this specific family conundrum. The play looks at the love between an estranged father and son.
CookieMachine tells the story of famous but ageing rock 'n' roll musician Jack Ray who travels to Mumbai and meets a young man, Karim Shaikh who turns out to be his son.
The play is directed by Natasha D'Souza and premiered at the Jeff Goldberg Studio in August.
Shaikh's role will be essayed by acting teacher and former student of Goldberg's, Karan Pandit. "It's an interesting part to play as it is well-written. At 25, the character has depth, is evolved, thoughtful and well-spoken. There aren't too many characters of this age that have more than one dimension to them," he says.
The play was inspired by a song by Goldberg's friend, the late musician Owen Stewart. "He was Scottish, and we met in France. He wrote a song called Cookie Machine that explores such a relationship. It was one day, during my daily run that I realised the beauty of the story in that song and thought of adapting it," says Goldberg. "Stewart and I always wanted to work together, so you could call this that collaboration."
The original song will be performed at the end of the play. Goldberg says the story is all about love; Pandit calls it a high stakes drama. "Everyone needs a family. That's what the show is about."
